Description:

Religions of the East is a detailed examination of the rich and diverse religious traditions of India, Tibet, China and Japan. Students will explore the histories, mutual influences, beliefs, and practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, the Jain religion, the Sikh religion, Confucianism, Daoism, the Tibetan religions, and Shinto, stressing the characteristics they share, as well as those that differentiate them from each other and from Western religions. Primary and secondary texts, as well as the iconographic and artistic traditions of these religions, will be examined as appropriate. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): TBA

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Identify, compare, and contrast the basic issues and methodologies of Religious Studies.
2. Contrast the basic differences in outlook between Eastern and Western religions, the diverse cultural backgrounds of the religions of India from those of China and Japan, and trace the patterns of geographical diffusion of Eastern Religions.
3. Describe the religious revolution that ultimately transformed the Vedic religion into Jaina, Buddhism, and Hinduism.
4. Describe the rise of Buddhism, its beliefs, practices, major schools, text formation, art and architecture, and history in India.
5. Trace the development of the Hindu religion, and describe the roles played in it by its major texts, ritual and ascetic practices, deities, social and legal codes, tantra, bhakti devotionalism, iconography and architecture, Islamic and British conquests, export to the West, and modern nationalism.
6. Describe the historical background, teachings, the role of Gurus, the practices, and the contemporary status of the Sikhs.
7. Discuss how Theravada Buddhism spread into Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, and the roles in its development of the concept of the Bodhisattva king, merit-making, its syncretistic festivals, British imperialism, and its post-imperialistic revival.
8. Describe the historical, general cultural, and popular religious background to the religions of China, and describe the Chinese tendency to blend religions
9. State the basic teachings of Confucius, describe their institutionalization by the Chinese government, show their later elaboration and later synthesis with Daoism and Buddhism, and trace their decline and revival during the twentieth century.
10. List the major exponents of Daoist (Taoist) philosophy and state their major concepts. Describe the beliefs and practices, historical development, texts, and iconography of religious Daoism (Taoism) and ways in which these complement popular Chinese religion.
11. Describe the importation of Buddhism into China, its adjustments to Chinese values, the schools of Buddhism that arose in China, the persecution and decline of Buddhism, and its status today.
12. Explore the Tantric (Vajrayana) tradition in India and its role in Tibetan religions, the diffusions of Buddhism into Tibet, the powerful schools of Tibetan Buddhism, the role of Lamas, and the status of Tibetan religions today.
13. Describe the range of Japanese religious practices, including Shinto, Buddhism, and the New Religions, distinguishing their particular emphases, and indicating their status today.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Identify, compare, and contrast the basic issues and methodologies
of Religious Studies:
   A. Identify and compare the uses of the terms “religion” and
“religious”
   B. State the basic concepts used in Religious Studies
   C. Distinguish between and compare the major methodologies used in
Religious Studies
   D. Distinguish between religious doctrine and religious practices

II. Distinguish basic differences in outlook between Eastern and Western
religions, the diverse cultural backgrounds of the religions of India from
those of China and Japan, and trace the patterns of geographical diffusion
of Eastern religions
   A. Compare and contrast the major similarities and differences between
Eastern and Western Religions
   B. Distinguish religions arising in India from those arising in China
   C. Trace the pan-Asian patterns of religious diffusion

III. Describe the early Vedic religion of India and the components of the
religious revolution that transformed it into Jaina, Buddhism, and
Hinduism
   A. Describe the Vedic religious beliefs and practices of ancient India
      1. State the Aryan Hypothesis and describe its basis
      2. List the Four Vedas and state their purposes
      3. Identify the Vedic deities
      4. Compare the various Vedic creation myths
      5. Discuss the origins of varna and its religious and social
significance
      6. Relate the significance of the Vedic rituals for the deities, the
cosmos and ancestors
   B. Describe the religious revolution that ultimately transformed the
Vedic religion into Jaina, Buddhism, and Hinduism
      1. Analyze the historical and geographical reasons for this
revolution
         a. Identify and analyze the components of the internalization of
Vedic sacrifice that produced yoga
         b. Discuss the concept of  karma
      2. List the effects of this revolution in the Upanishads
      3. Describe Jaina and its basic beliefs and practices

IV. Describe the rise of Buddhism, its teachings, practices, major
schools, text formation, art and architecture, and history in India 
   A. Restate the results of the religious revolution and show how it
prepared the way for the career of Siddhartha the Buddha
   B. Discuss the life of Siddhartha
   C. Explain the significance of his enlightenment
   D. List the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path
   E. Describe and evaluate Buddhist concepts of the self and the law of
dependent co-arising
   F. Describe and evaluate the Buddhist concept of dharma
   G. Discuss the development of the Sangha, Vinaya, and monastic
training
   H. Show the role of royal and lay patrons in the success of Buddhism,
especially the Emperor Ashoka
   I. Describe the division of Buddhism into schools, and identify the
differences between the Theravada, the Mahayana, and the Tantric
   J. Identify the characteristics and roles of the Boddhisattvas in
Mahyana Buddhism
   K. Discuss the formation of the Buddhist scriptural canon
   L. Trace the rise of Buddhist architecture and iconography
   M. Describe the significance of relics and pilgrimages in Buddhist
practice
   N. Explain the decline of Buddhism in India

V. Trace the development of the Hindu religion, and describe the roles
played in it by its major texts, ritual and ascetic practices, deities,
social and legal codes, tantra, bhakti devotionalism, iconography and
architecture, Islamic and British conquests, export to the West, and
modern nationalism
   A. Restate the results of the religious revolution and show how it
prepared the way for the rise of Hinduism
   B. Cite and evaluate the Bhagavad Gita and show how they are a response
to Buddhism
   C. Discuss the main teachings of yoga
   D. List the Four Stages of Life and show how they attempt to reconcile
the Brahmanic householder tradition with the ascetic
   E. Discuss and evaluate the code of life laid down in the Law of Manu
and the Dharmasutras
   F. Identify the major deities: Vishnu and his major avatars, especially
Rama and Krishna; Shiva; and the forms of the Goddess
   G. Trace the range of Hindu iconography and architecture
   H. Discuss the major components of Tantra
   I. Discuss the bhakti devotionalism, and its rituals and devotional
poetry
   J. Explain how British imperialism aided the Hindu revival of the
nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and list its major figures
   K. Discuss the exportation of Hinduism to the West
   L. Identify the major doctrines of late-twentieth century Hindu
fundamentalism, show how it is a product of ethnic strife and
post-independence nationalism, and evaluate its current impact on Indian
society

VI. Describe the historical background, teachings, the role of Gurus, the
practices, and the contemporary status of the Sikh Religion
   A. Describe the cultural background of Sixteenth-Century India
   B. Trace the career of Guru Nanak
   C. Outline and evaluate the major teachings of the Adi Granth
   D. Describe the early history and subsequent persecution of the Sikhs
under the subsequent nine human gurus and their replacement by the Adi
Granth
   E. Describe major Sikh temples, rituals, and community practices
   F. Compare and contrast Sikh beliefs and practices with those of
Hinduism, describe the place of the Sikhs in contemporary Indian society
   G. Trace the Sikh diaspora through Southeast Asia, and into Europe and
North America
  
VII. Discuss how Theravada Buddhism spread into Sri Lanka and Southeast
Asia, and the roles of the Boddhisattva king, merit-making, its
syncretistic festivals, British imperialism, and its post-imperialistic
revival in its development. 
   A. Cite the reasons for Buddhism spread to these areas
   B. Review the major differences between Theravada and Mahayana
Buddhism
   C. Characterize the ideal of the Dharmaraja or Boddhisattva ruler and
his role is Southeast Asian countries
   D. Discuss how merit-making binds householders and rulers to
monasteries
   E. Examine the syncretistic nature of the rituals and festivals of
these countries
   F. Evaluate the role of British imperialism in the creation of
“Protestant Buddhism” in Sri Lanka
   G. Examine the various strands of Buddhist revival in twentieth-century
Southeast Asia

VIII. Describe the historical, general cultural, and popular religious
background to the religions of China, and the Chinese tendency to blend
all religions
   A. Review the difference in outlook between Indian and Chinese
cultures
   B. Examine the traditional religious rituals, cosmic beliefs,
divinatory practices, and deities of the Chinese peoples
   C. State an overview of how Chinese religions have blended
   D. Describe the Christian missionaries’ inadvertent inspiration of
the Taiping Rebellion, based on a syncretistic blend of Chinese values and
Christianity

IX. State the basic teachings of Confucius, describe their
institutionalization by the Chinese government, show their later
elaboration and later synthesis with Daoism and Buddhism, and trace their
decline and revival during the Twentieth Century  
   A. Outline the life of Confucius and the context in which he developed
his philosophy
   B. List and evaluate his major teachings transmitted in The Analects
   C. List and evaluate the later contributions of Mencius and Xunzi
   D. Describe the institutionalization of Confucian teachings during the
Han Dynasty, the deification of Confucius, and the governmental role of
Confucianism in Chinese religion
   E. Characterize the Neoconfucian synthesis during the Sung Dynasty
   F. Examine the recent development of New Confucianism in China and the
United States

X. List the major exponents of Daoist (Taoist) philosophy and state their
major concepts, describe the beliefs and practices, historical
development, texts, and iconography, of religious Daoism (Taoism) and how
the latter complement popular Chinese religion  
   A. Show the obscure origins of the Daoist (Taoist) tradition
   B. List and evaluate the major teachings of Laozi (Lao Tse)
   C. List and evaluate the major teachings of Zhuangzi (Chuang Tse)
   D. Trace the origins of the Daoist Religion, and its schools and canon,
and its competition with Chinese Buddhism
   E. Show the interpenetration of Daoist and religious practices in
popular religion
   F. Discuss Daoist geography, temples, deities, iconography, rituals,
and festivals

XI. Describe the importation of Buddhism into China, its adjustments to
Chinese values, the schools of Buddhism that arose in China, the
persecution and decline of Buddhism, and its status today
   A. Trace Buddhism’s importation into China, the translation and
production of its canon, and its competition with Daoism for royal
patronage
   B. Describe how Buddhism found a role among the other religions of
China, especially the adjustments Buddhism made to Chinese family values
   C. Discuss Buddhist iconography, geography, monasteries, and temples
   D. Name and differentiate among the Esoteric, Pure Land, and Chan
(Ch’en) schools of Chinese Buddhism, and evaluate their theological
positions
   E. State the reasons for the imperial attack on Buddhism in 845 C.E.
and indicate Buddhism’s status thereafter
   F. Describe the persecutions of Chinese religions during the regime of
Mao Zedong (Mao tse Tung) and state the reasons for their revival since
the 1980’s

XII. Explore the Tantric (Vajrayana) tradition in India and its role in
Tibetan religions, the diffusions of Buddhism into Tibet, the powerful
schools of Tibetan Buddhism, the role of Lamas, and the status of Tibetan
religions today
   A. Describe and evaluate the Tantric beliefs and rituals
      1. Define mudra and mandala and describe their roles in Tantric
practices
      2. Trace the rise of Tantric in Hindu Shavism and its influence upon
Buddhism
   B. List the components of traditional Tibetan religion prior to the
arrival of Buddhism, especially those that survive in practice today.
   C. Trace the First Diffusion of Buddhism in Tibet
     1. Discuss the competition between Indian and Chinese Chan Schools
among early Tibetan Buddhists
      2. Show how a combination of Buddhist and traditional Tibetan
religions led to Bon
   D. Trace the Second diffusion of Buddhism in India and the creation of
further schools of Buddhism, especially the Gelug, and powerful
monasteries, and universities
   E. Describe the role of lamas in Tibetan religion and how concept of
“tulku” evolved as a means of selecting new lamas
   F. Summarize the relations between Tibet and its powerful neighbors,
the Mongols and the Chinese and show how these have influenced Tibetan
religion
   G. Outline the role of the Dalai Lama as both religious and spiritual
leader and the politico-religious role of the Dalai Lama since his flight
from Tibet in 1959

XIII. Describe the range of Japanese religious practices, including
Shinto, Buddhism, and the New Religions, distinguishing their particular
emphases, indicating and their status today
   A. Examine Shinto and Japanese folk religion
      1. Describe the mythology and the major ritual practices and
festivals of Shinto, and define “kami.”  Evaluate a religion that is
more aesthetic than ethical.
      2. Describe the practice and role of ancestral rites in Japanese
religion
      3. Describe the practices of Japanese folk religion, shugendo, and
show their intermingling with Shinto
      4. Discuss the creation of State Shinto during the Meiji
Restoration; examine its political role in supporting the imperial throne
and Japanese nationalist ambitions, and its destruction after World War
II
   B. Examine Buddhism in Japan
      1. Describe the introduction of Buddhism into Japan and its imperial
patronage of monasteries, temples, and art
      2. Characterize the Buddhist, Daoist, and folk origins of shugendo
      3. Account for the later arrivals of missionaries returning from
China proclaiming new Buddhist schools
      4. Briefly review the Esoteric, Pure Land, and Chan (Ch’en,
Japanese Zen) Schools of Buddhism and their practices
      5. Discuss and evaluate the distinctively Japanese additions to
these Chinese Schools
      6. Trace the political roles of Buddhist monasteries from the Heian
to the Momoyama periods of Japanese history
      7. Show how Tokogawa Ieyesu tamed and utilized Buddhism and
Neoconfucianism to support his shogunate
   C. Discuss the new religions created by the Japanese during the
nineteenth and twentieth centuries
   D. Show how Shinto, Daoist, and Confucian ideas and practiced have
blended in Japanese religion
   E. Outline the history of Christian missions in Japan
   F. Characterize and evaluate the popularity of Zen among Westerners
   G. Discuss and evaluate the seemingly diminished role of Japanese
religions today

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Examinations         50 %
(Student writing will constitute at least 25% of each exam.)
Projects/Assignments 50 % (to include writing assignments)
Total:              100 %

Grade Criteria:
 A = 90 - 100%
 B = 80 -  89%  
 C = 70 -  79%   
 D = 60 -  69%  
 F =  0 -  59%    

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.